About the author

Born and raised in Amsterdam, lives to dance and dances to live on electronic music, has a small vinyl addiction, appreciates a little sarcasm now and then, thinks musicals are annoying and loves those moments where you lose track of time completely.

Whether you went out last weekend to check out an uber-geeky beat magician or a depressingly awesome indie rock band, we all know there’s always some serious musical talents rocking around the Dam. You might not recognize them all yet, but don’t worry, you will soon. In this series of interviews we talk to remarkable artists about their music and their inspirations.

She has her own label together with 2000 And One called Intacto Records, produced great remixes of awesome artists such as Booka Shade and The Knife, and is playing at Groene Helden this Friday in Studio 80. Amsterdam based DJ and producer Shinedoe is one of my personal favourites, so for me, it can’t be Friday soon enough!

You’ve been a popular DJ since you were 19 years old. You must have started really young?
“When I was about 16 I danced at clubs and parties like Roxy as a part-time job while I was studying. That’s how I automatically got into the scene. I really liked the music, so I started buying records and started playing. I got asked to play at parties more and more until I had my first big gig at Paradiso’s VIP Party. In the beginning of 2000 I started to make my own music. I did an audio engineering course to get some more depth. Then I got my first hit at 100% Pure Records, and after that a lot of remixes and albums followed.”

The majority of the DJ/producing world seems to be male. How do you experience the scene from a woman’s perspective?
“I don’t look at it like that. I just play and do my own thing, I don’t look at gender. There are quite a few women in the scene but the majority is still male. I don’t really notice differences with fellow DJs because I just focus on the music. Maybe men get paid more? I wouldn’t know, I didn’t research it!”

You have Nigerian roots, you are also a true Amsterdammer, and you are very international. How do you combine all this?
“I do have my Nigerian roots, and there are some things that you get from home. However, I was born in Diemen (which still counts as Amsterdam in my opinion) and grew up in Amsterdam, my friends are Dutch, I studied here. So I feel more Dutch than Nigerian I think. But I can adjust and feel at home almost anywhere.”

Do you notice differences between you and fellow foreign DJs that didn’t grow up in Amsterdam?
“Not really. All the DJs I meet travel a lot and are really cosmopolitan and open. Maybe they see differences, but I don’t. Maybe people from The Netherlands are more down to earth.”

If you had to choose between playing or producing, what would you choose?
“Wow! That’s a difficult one! I think I would go for playing. I just love the contact that you have with the crowd. The reactions, the interaction, it’s live, that special feeling! In the studio you are creating, but you’re by yourself and alone.”

What is the best track you heard this year?
“It’s hard to just choose one! The year isn’t even over yet, you ask some difficult questions! I really like Surrounded from Franck Roger and Bells from Anil Chawla remixed by Kaiserdisco.”

When did you decide to start a label with 2000 And One?
“We started in 2004. I wanted to have a place where I would make and release only music with that sound that I absolutely love. I wanted to have music that is focused on the dance floor, that Detroit, Chicago, house sound. I told Dylan (2000 And One) this, and he was really enthusiastic and wanted to do it together.”

Do you and Dylan have a certain task division?
“Everything is basically 50/50. We both decide on the releases and financial matters. We are almost always on the same page. Sometimes one of us loves a release a bit more. When this happens we just trust each other’s judgment.”

This Friday you play at Groene Helden in Studio 80. What can we expect from this responsible party and what is your contribution?
“This party is for charity. They want to create parties and festivals that are aware of the environment. There’s more than just partying. The use of energy and protection of nature, that sort of stuff. I think it’s a great initiative. I’ll just make sure the party is going to be great with some good music!”